LAUSR

Herbal medicines are being used since ancient times and is an important part of alternative and traditional medicinal system. In recent decades scientists are embracing herbal medicines based on the fact that a number of drugs which are currently in use are derived directly or indirectly from plant sources. Moreover, herbal drugs have lesser side effects albeit are potentially strong therapeutic agents. The herbal medicine market is estimated to be around US $62 billion market globally. Herbal medicine has gained widespread acceptance due to its low toxicity, low cost, ease of accessibility and efficacy in treating difficult diseases. Safety and efficacy are another important factor in the commercialization process of herbal medicines. Nanotechnology have been shown to be potentially effective in improving the bioactivity and bioavailability of herbal medicines. Development of nano-phytomedicines (or by reducing the size of phytomedicine), attaching polymers with phytomedicines and modifying the surface properties of herbal drugs, increased the solubility, permeability and eventually the bioavailability of herbal formulations. Novel formulations such as niosomes, liposomes, nanospheres, phytosomes etc. can be exploited in this area. This article reviews herbal medicines which have prominent activity in Central Nervous System (CNS) disorder and reported nano-phytomedicines based delivery systems. Keywords: Nano formulation, phytomedicine, central nervous system, neurodegenerative disorder, nano-phytomedicines, herbal medicine.